Park Authority Recognized by National Recreation and Park Association

The Fairfax County Park Authority has been selected by the National
Recreation and Park Association to receive the 2014 Excellence in
Inclusion Award. This prestigious award recognizes and honors
an agency that has embraced implementation of inclusive practices and
processes. Furthermore, the agency must demonstrate its commitment
to the provision of well-planned supports for inclusive participation by
people with disabilities and diversity in all programs, services and
facilities.

Park Authority Director Kirk Kincannon noted, “This really confirms on a
national level what we see locally in terms of a commitment to
inclusion. The Park Authority has an impressive record of doing the
right thing when it comes to accessibility including providing facilities
such as Our Special
Harbor, Chessie’s Big
Backyard and Clemyjontri
Park.” He added, “Inclusion is very personal and we see it
at work every day in our programming and in the many ways we comply with
the Americans With Disabilities Act. I could not be prouder.”

The Fairfax County Park Authority, working in partnership with the
community, non-profits and foundations, business leaders, local officials
and the Fairfax County Park Foundation have created multiple
fully-accessible facilities including a spray ground, tree house,
playgrounds, and trails. Historic sites, the agency website,
athletic fields, golf courses, camp programs and facilities throughout
the park system welcome those with disabilities through reasonable
accommodations. The agency leads the way in terms of capital project
expenditures related to accessibility and ADA compliance. FCPA has also
committed to provision of a full continuum of leisure services for
residents which include traditional adaptive programs to complete
inclusion.

The award will be presented at the upcoming NRPA Congress and Exposition
in Charlotte, N.C. this fall at the Best of the Best Ceremony.

For more information, call the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.